Woldingham School case studies (49)

A respect for scholarship and intellectual values is at the core of Woldingham’s vision for our students and a clear goal of Sacred Heart education. Academic and co-curricular scholarships are offered at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form, designed to recognise exceptional achievement, intellectual curiosity and persistence. It is intended that a scholarship award will be appropriate for a student’s entire education at Woldingham, conditional upon the maintenance of expected standards of behaviour, attendance, performance and effort.

Dependent on the type of scholarship, awards are typically made as a reduction of between 5% and 20% of day fees per year. We may also offer Music Exhibitions to applicants with potential and this is usually offered as music tuition in their first instrument. 

Academic Scholarships

There is no application form to complete at 11+ and 13+ entry; all pupils will be considered based upon their results in the assessment tests held in October/November. Scholarship offers are made to the top students.

Candidates wishing to be considered for a Sixth Form Academic Scholarship will be required to complete two subject tests and the general paper. These assessments take place in October/November.

Co-Curricular Scholarships

Application and information forms for Art, Drama, Music, Performing Arts and Sport will be sent to all registered pupils.

All Rounder Scholarships

The All Rounder Scholarship is awarded at the school’s discretion and is for girls who are academically strong and also achieve scholarship standard in at least two of the co-curricular scholarship areas.

Local Girl Scholarship - 11+ only

Applicants must be attending a local state maintained primary school within a five mile radius of Woldingham School and will be chosen on academic merit and interview only.

Science Scholarships 16+ only

Candidates wishing to be considered for a Sixth Form Science Scholarship will be required to complete two subject tests from Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics. They must be able to demonstrate a high level of achievement in at least two of these subjects. Science Scholars must take at least two Science A Levels, of which one can be Mathematics.

Full application details can be found in the Scholarships section of Woldingham School’s website.

Bursaries

Woldingham makes a substantial investment each year in bursaries; the aim is to provide support for pupils with academic potential who might otherwise not be able to attend the school.

The level offered is based on the day fees and dependent upon the financial, compassionate or other pertinent circumstances of applicants. Only in exceptional, extenuating circumstances are bursaries offered for boarding fees. All awards are means tested and regularly reviewed.

Bursaries and scholarships are not mutually exclusive and a pupil may be awarded both a bursary and a scholarship. Each is assessed separately and awarded according to the relevant criteria.

All applicants for a bursary award must complete the registration form and the bursary application form, supported by a letter from the student’s current Head. They must show evidence of their financial situation and an independent financial assessment of the family is conducted. Bursary candidates must also be successful in Woldingham’s entrance exam.

Based on this information, the Headmistress and Bursary Awards Committee will review and select the bursary candidate(s). Every bursary award is subject to satisfactory educational progress, behaviour and to an annual financial review.